Mnangagwa allies take fight to Mugabe

HARARE - Embattled Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s allies are ramping up their assault on President Robert Mugabe’s authority, savaging the Zanu PF politburo’s decisions of the past few months, as well as the nonagenarian’s key lieutenants such as national political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere.

Speaking at a meeting of war veterans aligned to Mnangagwa in Bulawayo at the weekend, the gathered Team Lacoste members not only brazenly chanted “Down with G40 (Zanu PF Young Turks opposed to Mnangagwa succeeding Mugabe)”, they also came just short of openly denouncing Mugabe.

The ousted secretary-general of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), Victor Matemadanda, roundly slated the Zanu PF politburo — that is headed by Mugabe — saying it had become a “disciplinary politburo”, while Zanu PF was now a “party for firing not hiring”.

He also launched a scathing attack on Kasukuwere — who Mugabe singled out for special praise at the nonagenarian’s belated birthday bash in Masvingo two weeks ago — for the deluge of expulsions that have characterised Zanu PF over the past two years.

Playing factional politics to the hilt regarding the ongoing agitation by the party’s women’s league, that there be a woman in the Zanu PF presidium this year, Matemadanda said were this to happen, such a candidate should come from the Zapu side of the party — suggesting that Bulawayo Senator Angeline Masuku was the most worthy candidate for the post, although she was unlikely to be considered for it.

Speaking at the same get-together, former War Veterans minister, Christopher Mutsvangwa said bluntly that he had issues with people surrounding Mugabe, while also slating Zanu PF’s newly-found penchant for purging party members.

Contacted for comment on all this, party spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo was cagey yesterday, opting to say, “The party has a constitution, it has rules and regulations and anybody who violates the rules has to follow the process laid out. If found guilty, measures are taken”.

Repeated efforts to speak to Kasukuwere bore no fruit as his mobile phone was unreachable.

Meanwhile, former war veterans leader, Jabulani Sibanda, denied vehemently yesterday that he was set to rejoin Zanu PF and front the Mnangagwa faction.

Speaking to the Daily News following his attendance at the war veterans’ meeting in Bulawayo at the weekend, Sibanda said he had no plans “whatsoever” to do that — adding unequivocally that he was a Zimbabwe People First member.

Hopes had been high in the Midlands godfather’s camp over the past few weeks, that Sibanda would join hands with them, after he apparently turned down an offer from Mugabe to replace Mutsvangwa as both war veterans’ leader and minister.

But Sibanda, who was sacked from Zanu PF in 2014 after accusing First Lady Grace Mugabe of staging a “bedroom coup”, said he had only attended the Bulawayo meeting out of his “great respect for the former minister and war veterans in general”.

He told the Daily News that anyone who thought he would re-join Zanu PF was “hallucinating and waffling because power has corrupted the party’s leadership after we secured them victory in 2013 in a violent-free election”.

“How then do you join a party that is demobilising? How do you join a party that does not respect its own constitution, expelling people summarily? And how do you join a party that does not know who its leader is?” Sibanda asked rhetorically.

He said his appearance at the meeting was part of his “Come Let’s Reason Together” campaign, which he has been leading since his ouster from Zanu PF in late 2014.

“I embarked on that operation after I realised the need to unite all Zimbabweans to fight the situation we find ourselves in, a situation that came about because of Zanu PF’s mismanagement of the country.

“How then do I join the same party? I will never do anything like that. When I spoke at the war veterans meeting on Saturday my slogan was ‘One Zimbabwe, one nation’.

“I never chanted a Zanu PF slogan, just like I did not chant an MDC slogan when I addressed their meeting last year. I am a founder member of the People First party and anyone who thinks that I am not party to it is crazy.

“All this is akin to coming to my home and asking me if I am the owner of the house. So, let them hallucinate.

“I respect all war veterans and we need to work together as war veterans to save our people,” Sibanda added. People First spokesperson Rugare Gumbo, also told the Daily News that Sibanda was “one of us, but is free to associate with whoever he wants”.

“We are working closely with Jabu in People First, but let me hasten to say that our party respects freedom of association. So, Jabu has the freedom to engage with all Zimbabweans,” Gumbo said.

Comments (29)

I respect what code Jabulani Sibanda did. That shows a leader who can associate with anyone with a mere vision of rebuilding Zimbabwe. He must not at all listen to ZANU PF's call for him to re-join them. They are copy cats who just want to use people and drop them off the train when the battle is over. Grace is busy pointing at people who questions all the rubbish she does to the country. She has destroyed ZANU PF hoping she is assenting to power. I reiterate my statement that Zimbabwe is not a Gushungo Kingdom.

hleki. - 14 March 2016

I have a simple question to Daily News Editor. While the Daily News has a right to choose whom they support (in this case G40), they also have right to say the truth. Why do you say Matemadanda was ousted or referring to him as former Secretary General. You know for sure that even the High Court declared that Mutsvangwa and his team were the legitimate leaders of the War Vets. So is the Daily News not respecting the Courts.Nhasi Jonathan Moyo naGrace vava maGood fellows eDaily News. Muchazvidemba!

Dingiswayo - 14 March 2016

It's refreshing to note that not only sanity, but also political maturity is slowly,but surely creeping among the ranks of the the war vets.They were all along being used as political condoms in the process creating a lot of enemies among the communities they live in.Now they are being dumped in a political grave yard that has no legendary eulogies but insults.It's rather late particularly when one looks at the repressive measures which were inflicted against the civil populace.Even though,it's better late than never.

gen spinola - 14 March 2016

I think people of Dingiswayo's ilk need to learn that when Daily gives us reports, they are not taking sides at all. If it says what you do not like, why do you ascribe a side to it? I have never read where it appears to lean to G40 or any group for that matter. This paper does exactly as its motto states, telling it like it is. Check again Dingiswayo.yiy

Mr Dete - 14 March 2016

Daily News

Mr Dete - 14 March 2016

Mugabe and Trump are bullies.Have you noticed the similarities? Mugabe with his downtrodden ZANU-PF and Trump's GOP. ZANU-PF is reaping what it sowed so as the GOP. Begining of this year,Grace held a rally in Marondera, where she savaged Emmerson about him having a thousand illegitimate pickaninnies roaming around the place. During the rally, the so called Amai brazenly pointed out that only Zezurus are the only ones capable of ruling Zimbabwe. Present at the rally was #2 Mphoko .....in the order of things. Numbnuts Mhoko emphasized that on his watch, even in Matebeleland there was no one qualified to replace Gushungo! Tell us then, who is qualified in Zezuruland? Mandela and Mbeki are Xhosa.They had the presidency. Zuma a Zulu is the current president.Zulu and Xhosa are the major South African tribes and they smartly sorted it out amicably. Nasty politics all over the place.....down with the G 40 and Trump! Emmerson must fiercely engage and destroy the diaper wearing G 40. What would Tongongara, Lookout Masuku do? Present day revolutionaries needed to complete the revolution of Zimbabwe. Pussy footing does not engage G 40 ! Amerca has never wavered on sanctions against ZANU-PF lawlessness.BALLS and PRINCIPLES! Team Lacoste, abandon ZANU-PF now! Chibwechitedza.

Freedom Nkomo - 15 March 2016

Mugabe and Trump are bullies.Have you noticed the similarities? Mugabe with his downtrodden ZANU-PF and Trump's GOP. ZANU-PF is reaping what it sowed so as the GOP. Begining of this year,Grace held a rally in Marondera, where she savaged Emmerson about him having a thousand illegitimate pickaninnies roaming around the place. During the rally, the so called Amai brazenly pointed out that only Zezurus are the only ones capable of ruling Zimbabwe. Present at the rally was #2 Mphoko .....in the order of things. Numbnuts Mhoko emphasized that on his watch, even in Matebeleland there was no one qualified to replace Gushungo! Tell us then, who is qualified in Zezuruland? Mandela and Mbeki are Xhosa.They had the presidency. Zuma a Zulu is the current president.Zulu and Xhosa are the major South African tribes and they smartly sorted it out amicably. Nasty politics all over the place.....down with the G 40 and Trump! Emmerson must fiercely engage and destroy the diaper wearing G 40. What would Tongongara, Lookout Masuku do? Present day revolutionaries needed to complete the revolution of Zimbabwe. Pussy footing does not engage G 40 ! Amerca has never wavered on sanctions against ZANU-PF lawlessness.BALLS and PRINCIPLES! Team Lacoste, abandon ZANU-PF now! Chibwechitedza.

Freedom Nkomo - 15 March 2016

Mugabe and Trump are bullies.Have you noticed the similarities? Mugabe with his downtrodden ZANU-PF and Trump's GOP. ZANU-PF is reaping what it sowed so as the GOP. Begining of this year,Grace held a rally in Marondera, where she savaged Emmerson about him having a thousand illegitimate pickaninnies roaming around the place. During the rally, the so called Amai brazenly pointed out that only Zezurus are the only ones capable of ruling Zimbabwe. Present at the rally was #2 Mphoko .....in the order of things. Numbnuts Mhoko emphasized that on his watch, even in Matebeleland there was no one qualified to replace Gushungo! Tell us then, who is qualified in Zezuruland? Mandela and Mbeki are Xhosa.They had the presidency. Zuma a Zulu is the current president.Zulu and Xhosa are the major South African tribes and they smartly sorted it out amicably. Nasty politics all over the place.....down with the G 40 and Trump! Emmerson must fiercely engage and destroy the diaper wearing G 40. What would Tongongara, Lookout Masuku do? Present day revolutionaries needed to complete the revolution of Zimbabwe. Pussy footing does not engage G 40 ! Amerca has never wavered on sanctions against ZANU-PF lawlessness.BALLS and PRINCIPLES! Team Lacoste, abandon ZANU-PF now! Chibwechitedza.

Freedom Nkomo - 15 March 2016

Time out! Team Lacoste! Unlike South Africa where the government apparatus is impartial,Zimbabwe apparatus is all ZANU-PF; Zezuru- Green Bombers outfit running things for ever. Grace's vision! G 40 boastfully exploiting this. Varume,how do you dig yourself out of this mess? Engage now and fix Zimbabwe. It's been 36 years since independence. Grow Up!!

Chibwechitedza - 15 March 2016

ZIMBABWE WILL NEVER BE RULED BY A WOMAN , BUT WILL PLAY AN ADVISORY ONLY HISTORY IN THE ZIMBABWEAN POLITICS HAS PROVED THIS SINCE1890

Tambaoga - 15 March 2016

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it boggles my little political mind that all the chastised & fired lunatics, buffons & bullfrogs and the datyagadzis only realises now that zanu is nefarious. they have not changed its only that they are speaking from the other side of the fence where they are being stung by zika carrying mosquitos. jabu was number one intimidator and now he has been castrated by rhobhati; he is now a useless eunuch. let them reel with anger at robhati until hey kill themselves. whether they take rhobhati headon or they sideswipe him, idont care.as for dingiswayo, the guy need a strong vaccine so that he can sleep.

SaManyika Chaiye - 15 March 2016

Zvatizvadii.matimadii.

viola gwena - 15 March 2016

I respect Cde Jabulani Sibanda. It's high time all people realizing how wrong ZANU PF leadership is, leave it for good. All the suspensions are made to frustrate people who are in support of good governance. Cdes Zimbabwe is for us all. Anyone who can dream has the opportunity to lead Zimbabwe. We are sick of people who only think that one person was chosen to lead for life. So it's time to form as many organisations as possible as long as they are going to put enough pressure on ZANU PF until it is removed from power.

Chihwemukudu - 15 March 2016

The so-called the VP's allies whether it is ignorance or what I'm confused by their continuous support of a person who will never come to their rescue whenever the G40 purge them. The VP in question will never come in their defence when the hammer descends from the G40.The only logical action to take is either to submit to the dictates of the G40 or like what Amai Mujuru did,form their own party or join any opposition party of their choice. It is clear the VP has been vanquished, totally annihilated and forced to recognize Amai Mugabe as a force to reckon with. Like Biblical Saul who left Jerusalem for Damascus arrest Christians only to meet Jesus on the way, Lacoste should humble themselves and apologize to the nation. Saul was totally beaten to his game as he was mentally shattered and asked ' Who are you my Lord?' a question which shows that the defeated had surrendered and became most orator in praising the victor. What I am trying to say is Team Lacoste has no leadership in VP Mnangagwa. He has already distances himself from the fired Youth leaders.

Jonathiel Moyowaonda - 15 March 2016

In every war there r casualties of war.when yu get injured in the line of fire,dnt expect the General to fly in to pik yu up in his choper.yu pik yoself up n get on wth it or run.simple.theris other youths to bak them up,doesnt need ngwena himself.He has his cake ,his part.if yu pf pple think mujuru will be throwing stones wth yu ,think again.

viola gwena - 15 March 2016

Matimadii.

viola gwena - 15 March 2016

This whole war veterans movement is a farce I dare say. Unbelievable that a National Liberation War Vets Assoc is a branch of a political party!! Ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous!!

Realist Mulembe - 15 March 2016

This whole war veterans movement is a farce I dare say. Unbelievable that a National Liberation War Vets Assoc is a branch of a political party!! Ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous!!

Realist Mulembe - 15 March 2016

people are supporting ZANU PF for their personal agrandizement. They are rather beneficiaries

dzikamai risinamahodzi - 16 March 2016

I personally do not believe in Mutasa. Ask Manicaland people especially Headlands

dzikamai risinamahodzi - 16 March 2016

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